Wilmington Regulatory News (WIL)

14 Jul 2005 07:00

Wilmington Group Plc14 July 2005 For immediate release 14th July 2005 WILMINGTON GROUP PLC PRE-CLOSE PERIOD STATEMENT Wilmington Group plc ("Wilmington" or the "Group"), the professional informationand training group, today issues its pre-close period statement in respect ofthe year to 30 June 2005. Trading performance for the year to 30 June 2005 is anticipated to be in linewith our expectations and significantly ahead of the corresponding period ended30 June 2004. This reflects the considerable progress that has been made duringthe year towards our strategy of focusing on selected professional businessmarkets where we can develop a range of complementary information and training/event activities. We anticipate that the strongest growth in both turnover and profits will havecome from the Legal and Regulatory division where excellent progress has beenmade in many areas. The information and publishing activities have continued tobenefit from the growth in e-revenues and are expected to produce excellentlevels of profitability. We were delighted that the weekly magazine 'SolicitorsJournal' has recently been voted Legal Journal of the Year. Our trainingbusinesses are expected to have generated profits at the higher end of ourexpectations with strong performances from Scotland, Ireland and the Immigrationand Asylum accreditation programme. The major reorganisation of our Design and Construction division has beensuccessfully completed. The relocation of staff and creation of new managementteams has been effective. We are delighted that this division is expected toshow a return to profit in the year to 30 June 2005 after a loss in the yearended 30 June 2004. We anticipate further progress in the year to 30 June 2006. Elsewhere in the Group the process of investing in the launch of new productsand the ongoing development of new initiatives continues. We continue to pursueour strategy of concentrating on our core markets and developing clusters ofcomplementary activities within those markets. Outlook The Board is encouraged by the progress made in 2005 and is confident that itsstrategy of focusing on key professional business markets will result in furtherprogress this financial year. It is anticipated that Wilmington will announce its preliminary results for theyear ended 30 June 2005 in mid September 2005. For further information please contact: Wilmington Group Charles Brady (Chief Executive) 0207 422 6800Basil Brookes (Finance Director) 0207 422 6800 Weber Shandwick Square Mile Nick Oborne, Kirsty Raper or Yvonne Alexander 0207 067 0700 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange